Trolley-harp extension



W. F. FREEMAN. TROLLEY HARP EXTENSION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1921.

Patented July 5, 1921 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

' IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR. F 4m 7-? 13V W- F. FREEMAN. V

TROLLEY HARP EXTENSION.

Patented July 5, 192L- 2 SHEETS-SHEET Z APPLICATION FILED MAR-$192k 1,383,? 96.

. UNITED STATES PATE N1" QEFECE. I

.TROLLEY-HAR]? EXTENSION.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed March 5, 1921. Serial No. 449,681,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER F. FREEMAN,

a citizen of .the United States of America, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Trolley- Harp Extension, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements'in the so-called harps with which the upper ends of trolley poles are provided, and consists essentially of a supplementary or auxiliary member or element, which is pivotally Connected with the ordinary trolley-pole harp, after the latter has been rearranged on its pole so that the axle is positioned in an approximately vertical instead of a horizontal plane, and carries the trolley wheel or follower, such element comprising certain peculiar oscillatory and yielding or resilient means, whereby said wheel or follower is held against the overhead wire, and which actually forms a cushion support for the wheel or follower, and a support that is capable of oscillatory movement laterally, these movements all being independent of the movements of the harp, together with such other parts and'members as may be needed or desired in order to render the de-' vice practicable and eflicient in every respect, all as hereinafter set forth.

The present attachment 18 designed to be mounted to oscillate on the harp axle, which must be located at right-angles to the position that such axle ordinarily occupies, while the trolley wheel or follower, Which:

ever may be used, is mounted on a'hOri zontal axle journaled in thefork at the rear end of said attachment.

It is customary to mount the trolley wheel or follower in a harp that is rigidly attached at the upper end of a trolley pole, which polo is caused to assume the approximately erect or upright position by means' of powera ful springs, so that said wheel or follower is held against the overhead wire with a great amount of pressure, with the result that the wheel or follower and .its bearing parts are quickly worn out to an extent that l renders them useless. There is, therefore,

lacking the proper amount of flexibility to insure the contact of the wheel or follower withthe wire at all times,'without unduly or quickly wearing out the wheel or j follower and its bearing parts. There is also lacking the required flexibility to enable Wheel or follower and wire to be greatly I the wheel or follower to adapt itself quickly enough to meet. the conditions arising from the jolting of the car over a rough road bed, or form an uneven and deflected overhead-wire, or to adjust itself quickly enough I to meet such conditions, with the result that the wheel or follower is frequently caused to leave the wire and thesupporting wires are damaged by said pole. Furthermore,

the wheel or follower is so held or supported that it binds or pinches'the overhead wire, in roundlng a curve, and so causes both said worn and said wire consequently to be weakened. The primary object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive trolley mount or harp extension, which can be attached to the ordinary harpby removing the wheel and mounting the extension on the axle of I I said harp, after the position of said'harp has been changed as hereinbefore noted, whereby the desired flexibility and sensitiveness of the trolley wheel or follower and supporting parts areobtained, and the above-noted objections removed or elimi- I nated. I I I I I With my new construction the pressure of the trolley wheel or follower against the overhead wire is greatly reduced, inasmuch as saidwheel or follower is carried on a com parat-ively sensitive "cushion which affords both up and down and lateral movement, and said wheel or follower is capable 'of quickly adapting itself to unevenness, in said wire in any direction, .and to the jolting of i the car, and the liability of said wheel or follower toleavetheWire is reduced to the minimum. I v I A further advantage of my invention is found in the factthat provision is made for normally keeping the wheel or shoe in line with the pole;'such provision, however, is of a. yielding'n'ature, as already clearly indicated. The lateral motion of which my device is capable, therefore, insures a good contact between the wheel or follower and the wire in rounding. a curve. Wear onv both wheel or "follower andoverhead Wire is greatly lessened, and the damage to'sup porting'wires resulting when said wheel or follower-leaves said overhead wire is reduced to theminimum'. i I 1 Another object is to produceadevice of this character that is not only simple in construction and operation, and compare tively inexpensive, but is adapted to be connected with, attached to, or mounted'o'n' or in the ordinary trolley harp, and to carry the ordinary trolley wheel or follower.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

1 attain the objects and securethe advan-' tagcs of my invention bythe means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which I. Figure 1 is a top plan of a trolley-harp extension which embodies a practical form of my invention, such extension being connected with an ordinary"trolley-pole harp; Fig. 2, a side elevation of said harp. and extension, showing the same in approxima-tely the position which they would occupy. if the trolley wheel were about to be permitted to' contact with an overhead wire; Fig. 3, a bottom plan of the harp and extension; Fig. 1, a central, longitudinal section through the harp and extension, the same being positioned obliquely as in F 2; Fig. ,5, a longitudinal section through the harp and extension, taken on lines 55, looking in the direction of the associated arrow, in Fig. 1; Fig. (5 a top plan of a follower, which may serve-either'in the capacity of a shoe or asanice-scraper, and may be, substituted in the extension for trolley wheel; Fig. 7, aside elevation of said follower and a fragment of one of the arms of the forlrwhich affords a bearing forthe same andisalpart of the extension; Fig. 8, a-rear elevation of the follower; Fig. 9, a side elevation of the wearing member of the follower, and, 10, a sectional. view of the permanent partof body of the follower,

into which and with which said wearing part is adapted to fit and be securely connected, and fromwhich it may bediscon nected and removed. 7

The trolley-wheel is shown only in the first two views. Similar reference characters designate similar parts througirhout'the several views.

1n the drawings .1 show at 1 a trolleypole harp, of ordinary construction, but arrange-also that the arms-2 of its fork are in a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane as heretofore. Atthe outer ends of the arms 2 are bearings 3-8 for an axle 4. .i. trolleywheel, such as G, is usually mounted on the axle 41, when the harp 1 is positioned and used in the ordinary manner, but in the present device such wheel is or may be mounted on another axle, as 7, as will presently be more fully explained. I

The supplementary attachment or extension comprises a carrier 8 which is mounted on the axle 1, and a rocker 9,, that. might be termed a supplementary, secondary, or

auxiliary, harp, which is supported from said.

carrier by two forward springs 10 and a rear sprlng 11, said rocker belng provided With rear terminal, a centering spring 13 being a bearing 12 for engagement with the upper arm 2, when said rocker is depressed at its provided normally to retain the carrier with its central, longitudinal, vertical plane in line or coinciding with the corresponding plane of the harp 1, or in the-intermediate position. I

The carrier 8 is receivable between the harp arms 2, and has in its front end a longitudinal groove 141 which is concaye in cross section, and upper and lower, rearwardlyextending arms 15 and 16, respectively,

through which the sale 4: passes, and which form the bearings for the carrier on said axle. The arms 15 and 16 are connected behind the aizle 1-. with an upright 17, and said arm 16 has rearwardly-extending, "stepped projection or lip 18. The lip 18 is at the rear end of the arm 16, and rising from this projection is a post 19 which is exteriorly screw-threaded. The arm 16 alsohas lateral projections from which rise posts 20 '20. T he plane common to the axes of the posts 20 a'little behind the :plane of the axle 4 which last-named plane is parallel with said first-named plane.

- ,The carrier 8 is normally retained with its central, longitudinal, vertical plane in Y line or coinciding with the central, longitudinal', vertical plane of the yoke 1, by the spring 1.3,.one terminal of which spring is carried outwardly and downwardly past the contiguous edges of the arm 16 and the lower arm and the other terminal of whichspring is carried outwardly and up wardly past the contiguous edges of the arm 15 and the. upper arm 2, as represented at- 21 in the first instance and 22 in the second instance. Thus the opposite terminals of the spring 13 normally bear on opposite sides or edges of the upper and lower arms 52 and of theupper and lower arms15 and 1G, respectively, so that they have tendency to retain the. carrier Sin the normal, intermediate position hereinbofore described, and to return said ca rricr tO.'Sf\i(l position, Force, exerted on the carrier 8 to actuate the same on the axle 1 tothe right, causes the arm to contract and tighten the spring 13, by reason of the contact which exists be tween said arm and the spring-terminal 21, and due to the further fact that the spring terminal 22 is in contact with the bottom arm 2, so that a greater tension is put on said spring and this operates to return said carrier to normal position, as soon as the same is again released. Flimilarly, force exerted to actuate the carrier 8 in the opposite direction or to the left, causes the 16 to contract-and tighten the springz13, by reason ofthe contact existingbetween said arm and thespring terminal 92, and: due, further, to the engagement of the spring terminalv 21 with the upper arm2, so that, as before,

plained.

' receive the rear terminal portion of the upper arm 2 and the upper part of the forward terminal portion of the carrier 8. The opening 23 is of sufiicient size generally to enable the rocker 9 to move quite freely without obstruction or interference on the part of the upper harp arm 2,"and of sulficient width specifically to receive the forward portion of the ca-rrier'8 and permit the forward terminal ofthe rocker tomove up and down relative thereto. The bearing 12 also is located in the opening 23, between the front end of said opening and the forward terminal of the carrier 8. This'bear-- ing is approximately hemispherical, and arranged with its flattened side contiguous to the inner face of the front end of the opening 23 in the rocker 9. The bearing 12 is mounted to rotate on a stud 24 set in the front end, which end is indicated by the numeral 25, of the rocker 9. Thus said bearing is of the anti-friction type, the office or purpose of which will presently be fully ex- The upper parts ofthe forward terminal portions of the rocker 9 are cut away. as best shown at 2626 in Fig. 1, to permit said rocker to swing, on and with the carrier 8, through a longer are without contact with the upper arm 2 than would other-' wise be possible. Y

Depending from the'rocker 9 are two posts 27 which are approximately in line withthe posts 20 below when the parts are assembled, and the springs 10 at their upper and lower terminals encircle said posts 27 and 20, respectively. The rear terminal of the rocker 9 is in the form of a fork the arms of which are represented at 2828, and'these arms form bearings, as at 29, for the axle 7. Depending from a lug or lip 30 in the crotch of the rocker fork is apost 31. The post 31 is approximately in line with the post 19 below when the parts are assembled, and said first-named post is externally screwt-hreaded like said second-named post. a The spring ll-has its terminals screwed on to the posts 19 and 31.

The rocker 9 is yieldingly supported as on a cushion by the springs 10 and 11, so that it can rock or tilt quite'freely.- -Due to the fact that the rocker 9 partially embraces the carrier 8, (and incidentally it may be noted that the anti-friction bearing 12 is always in engagement with the grooved part 1 10f said carrier), said rocker moves or oscillates'laterally on and with said carrier and with the axle 4 as the pivotal center, and this regard- V less of the position of'the rocker longitudinally, that its to say, of'the tilted position of the rocker, such oscillatory movement bein transmitted from the rocker to the carrier. I

The upward movementof the forward terminal of the rocker 9 is limited by the bearing 12 which then comes into contact with the under side of the upper harp arm 2, and

said bearing rolls beneath said arm when said rocker with the carrier 8 is oscillated on the axle 41. The downward movement of the rear terminal of the rocker 9 is limited only by themaximum compression of the springs 10 and 11. The upward movement of the rear terminal of the rocker 9 is lim. ited by the contact of the bearing 12 with the forward, grooved'terminal of the carrier '8, and such movement is subject more or less to the restraint afforded by the spring 11, vdue to the fact that said spring at its terminals is in screw-threaded engagement with the posts 19 and 31. The combined strength of the springs 10 being greater than that of the spring 11, the rocker 9 is normally retained with the bearing 12 in contact with the upper arm 2, and said rocker fulcrums, through the medium of saidbearing, on said arm, when the rear terminal of the rocker is depressed. And, when the rocker is tilted upwardly at the rear terminal, said rocker fulcrums on the springs 10. Any marked tendency of the rocker to move forwardly, withoutthe harp 1, is

checked by the rear terminal of the upper arm 2, and any marked .tendency of the rocker to move rearwardly; independently, is i checked by the'carrier 8 into contact with which the bearing 12 is then brought. There is necessarily a comparatively slight amount of longitudinal play permitted the rocker, but only such amount as is necessary to per mit the rocker to be thrown up at'therear end and down at the forward end. At this time the bearing 12' is" drawn away from the upper arm 2. c

It is now seen that a very flexible support is afforded for the trolley wheel 6, and that saidwheel is permitted to follow without difficulty whatever undulations therewmay be in the overhead wire.

'Inpractice, when the trolley wheel 6 is broiight into contact with the overhead wire, the springs 10 and'll are contracted to some extent. owing to the superior'force, exerted by thetrolley-pole springs.- The wheel 6 is free to revolve-beneath theioverhead wire, and may move up anddown, sub-, ject to the control of the springs 10 and 11, but with comparative freedom, the rocker 9 then fulcruming, through the medium of 'the bearing 12,011 the upper arm 2, and to follow any lateral divergencies in said wire, said rocker then swinging with the carrier 8 on the axle 4. 'More 'or-lesslateral. movement of the parts also takes place whenth'e wheel 6 follows the overhead wire around a corner. QThus the support for the wheel 6 is very flexible, and affords the necessary freedom of movement to said wheel, other than the rotary motion thereof, and in no way interferes with such motion, but rather improves the same or renders it more free.

In the event it be desired to substitute a shoe or to employ an ice-scraper, it is simply necessary to remove the wheel 6 and insert in place thereof on the axle 7 such shoe or scraper.

The device which T have illustrated in the last five views, and have termed a follower, may be used in the capacity of either a shoe or an ice-scraper. This follower comprises a body 32 and a removable shoe 33. The shoe 33 may serve as. an ice-scraper and either is to be comprehended or understood by the term shoe.

The body 32 has a generally triangular superficial outline, is provided at the bottom with a pair oflaterally extending lugs 34:, and at the top with another pair of laterally extending lugs 35, and has atransverse opening or bore 36 therethrough to receive the axle 7, a vertical slot 37 therethrough, and a horizontal groove 33 therein. The bore 36 is back of the transverse center of the body 32, and the rear half of said opening communicates with the forward portion of the slot 37 intermediate of the ends of said slot. The lugs 34 are on and behind the longitudinal center of the body 32, while the lugs are forward of said center. The groove 38 is in the longitudinal center of the top of the body 32. The body 32 is of a thickness which enables it, like the wheel 6, to be received between the arms 28.

The shoe 33 has on the bottom a rib 39 to fit into the groove 38 to assist in properly locating said shoe on the body 3, and preventing the former from moving or twisting laterally on the latter; and said shoe also has on the bottom a downwardly extending tongue 40 which is receivable in the slot 37, and which has a semi-circular slot ll in the front edge thereof that has thesame radius as that of the bore 36, and coincides with the corresponding portions of said bore, when said tongue is completely in said first-named slot. The shoe 33 is provided on top with a pair of wings 4L2, as is customary.

When the shoe 33 is placed in position on the body 32, the latter is introduced between the fork arms 28 of the rocker 9, with each of said arms extending downwardly and forwardly between the lugs 34 and35 on the corresponding side of said body, and the axle 7 is thrust through the bearings 29 and the bore 36 and slot 41. The tongue l0 is now locked inplace in the slot 37 by the axle 7, and the body 32 is mounted in position for use. The lugs 35, being below the arms 28, limit the amount of movement which it is possible for the follower to have on the axle 7 in one direction, and the lugs 35, being above said arms, limit the amount of move- 'ment of said follower on said axle in the other direction. The lugs 35 in the present example are at the top of the body 32 and parallel with said top. The follower is, of course, supported and carried by the'extension in substantially the same manner as is the wheel 6.

By constructing the follower in two parts I am able to remove and replace the shoe 33, or substitute another therefor, with the utmost facility, so that a great savingis ef fected, as will be-readily understood.

Ithas not been deemed necessary to show in the drawings either the trolley pole springs or the overhead wire to which reference has been made, inasmuch as they are so old and well known. V

Cotter-pins 43 and 44, respectively, may be employed to retain the axle 4L in place in the bearings 3 and the axle 7 in place in the bearings 29. I a

More or less changein the size, shape, construction, and arrangement of some or all of the parts of this invention may be made, without departing from the nature thereof or exceeding the scope of what is claimed.

The spring 11, having a screw-thread attachment with the. pins 19 and 31, tends to prevent a too' sudden riseof the rear terminal of the rocker 9 and the shock or jar that in that event would result when the bearing 12 contacted with the grooved part 14:. Thus noise is eliminated and wear and tear are de creased. r a

The term axle as herein employed is intended to include and cover any axial or pivotal connection between the harp and extension, and between the extension'and wheel or follower.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with. a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an'approximately vertical plane, of non-pivotal rocking means mounted indirectly on said axle and adapted to carry a trolley wheel.

2; The combination, in atrolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of oscillatory means mounted directly on said axle, and non-pivotal rocking means mounted on said first-named means. and adapted to carryra trolley wheel.

3. The combination, in a trolleyharp extension. with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of spring-actuated oscillatory means mounted directly on said axle, and non pivotal rocking means mounted on said first-named means,and adapted to carry a trolley wheel.

The combination, in a trolley harp extension, vith a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of oscillatory means mounted on said axle, and spring-supported rocking means mounted on said firstnamed means, and adapted to carry a trolley wheel.

The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolleypole harp, and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of spring-actuated oscillatory means mounted on said axle, and spring-supported rocking means mounted on said first-named means, and adapted to carry a trolley wheel.

6. Thecombination, in a trolley harp extension, with trolley pole harp and its axle. the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, and a trolley-wheelcarrying member spring-supported from and adapted to rock on said first-named member, and to engage the same for oscillatory movement. 7

T. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, a spring arranged normally to retain said member in its intermediate position, and a trolley-,wheel-carrying member mounted to rock on said firstnamed member, and to engage the same for oscillatory movement. l

8. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, a trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement with said firstnamed member for oscillatory movement, and springs to support said second-named member from said first-named member.

9. The combination, in a trolleyyharp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle. the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, a spring arranged normally to retain said member in its intermediate position, a trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement with said firstnamed member for oscillatory movement, and springs to support said second-named member from said first-named member.

10. The combination, in a trolley harp extension,'with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, and a trolley-wheelcarrying member mounted to rock on said first-named member, and in, engagement therewith for oscillatory movement.- said second-named member being provided with a bearing to contact with said harp.

11. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate onsaid axle, a,trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement with said firstnamed member toroscillatory movement, and springs to support said second-named member from said first-named member, and. said second-namedmember being provided with a bearing to contact with said harp.

12. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, a trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement 7 with said firstnamed member for'oscillatory movement, and mounted to rock thereon, said secondnamed member being provided with a bearing adapted to contact with said harp and with the forward terminal of said firstnamed member, according to the tilted position of said second-named member.

13. The combination, in a trolleyharpextension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to os' cillate on said axle, a trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement with said firstnamed member for. oscillatory movement, and springs to support said second-named mem her from said first-named member, said sec: ond-named member being provided with a bearing adapted to contact with said. harp and with the forwardterminal of said firstnamed member, according to the position of said second-named member on. its springs.

l t. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latterbeing in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate 011 said axle, means normally to retain said" member in an intermediate position, and 'a trolley-wheel-carrying member in engage ment with said first-named member for oscillatory movement, and mounted "to rock trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement with said first-named-member' for os cillatory movement, and mounted to rock thereon, said second-named member being provided with a bearing adapted to contact 1 with said harp and'with the forward ter-.

ing to the tilted position of said secondnamed member.

16. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximatelyvertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on minal of said first-named member, accordsaid axle, and a trolley-wheel-carrying memher in engagement with said first-named member for oscillatory movement, and mounted to rock thereon, said second-named member being provided with an anti-friction bearing adapted to contact with said harp. 17. he combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a member mounted to oscillate on said axle, a trolley-wheel-carrying member in engagement with said first-named member for oscillatory movement, and springs to support said second-named member from said first-named member, said second-named member being provided with an antifriction bearing adapted to contact with said harp.

18. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle,

'the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a carrier mounted on said axle, and provided with posts, a trolley-wheelcarrying rocker in engagement with said carrier for oscillatory movement, and also provided with posts, and springs mounted on said posts to support said rocker from said carrier.

19. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle,

the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, or a carrier mounted on said axle and provided with posts, a trolley-wheelcarrymg rocker in engagement with said carrier for-oscillatory movement, and also provided with posts, and springs mounted on said posts and adapted to support said rocker from said carrier, one or said springs hav ing its, terminals fixedly attached to two of 4 said posts.

20. The combmation, in a trolley harp extension, wlth a trolley-pole harp and its axle,

the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a grooved carrier mounted on" said axle, and provided with posts, a trolley- Wheel-ca-rrying' rocker in engagement with said carrier for oscillatory movement and also provided with posts, and further provided with a bearing to engage said harp and the grooved part of said carrier, andsprings on said posts arranged to support said rocker from said carrier, according to the position of said rocker on its springs.

21. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp andits axle, the latter being in an approximately vertical plane, of a grooved carrier mountedon said axle, and provided with posts, a spring arranged normally to retain said carrier in its intermediate position, a trolley-Wheel-carrying rocker also provided with posts, and

springs onsaid posts to support said rocker from said carrier, said rocker being 'iturther provided with means laterally to engage the carrier.

22. The combination, in a trolley harp extension, with a trolley-pole harp and its axle,

the latter being in an approximately vertical' plane, of a carrier mounted on said axle, and grooved in the front end, a tiltingtrolleywheel-carrying rocker, the forward portion of said rocker being arranged to engage the sides of the forward portion of said carrier, and provided with a bearing to engage said harp and the'grooved portion of said carrier, according to the tilted position of said rocker, and springs to support said rocker from said carrier.

HALTER F. FREEMAN.

lVitnesses i F. A. CUTTER, C. D. MONROE. 

